La Jolla's Bird Rock Council seeks witnesses to damaging drive-overs

The Bird Rock Community Council (BRCC) is pursuing the recovery of damages following two different DUI-incidences in town that caused median destruction. However, there have been other drive-overs for which BRCC does not have enough information to seek recompense, and is hoping for witnesses to aid its efforts.

In the first DUI incident, explained BRCC treasurer Barbara Dunbar at the July 11 board meeting, a motorist drove over the median on La Jolla Mesa Drive. In a second occurrence, a driver went over the median along La Jolla Boulevard at Midway Street.

“For those two, we filed police reports and because we know who the suspects are, we’re able to file for recovery of damages,” she said. “Unfortunately, a lot of other recent damage has been done by hit-and-run drivers (from which) we cannot collect because we don’t know who they are.

“We have no witnesses. Somehow the damage was done at a time when no one saw it.”

She explained that on May 8, the Colima Street roundabout suffered major trauma from at least two large, heavy vehicles that drove through the planted area. Two-thirds of the plants and two traffic signs were affected. The heavy sewer cover was dislodged and cracked, and the concrete utility box was broken. There were deep tire tracks through the planter.

Anyone with information can send a confidential e-mail to BRCC at: info@birdrockcc.org

Ashley Mackin

Bird Rock Community Council president Andrew Ward and treasurer Ron Fineman listen to presentations at the BRCC meeting, July 11.

Bird Rock Community Council president Andrew Ward and treasurer Ron Fineman listen to presentations at the BRCC meeting, July 11. (Ashley Mackin)

In other Bird Rock news:

Water main project: Dunbar announced that a City of San Diego water project to replace water mains and fire hydrants could begin as soon as the fall. Water Group 969 Project B14100 would repair a mile-and-a-half of water mains and spans several San Diego communities, so an exact start date for the Bird Rock portion has not been set. The affected area is the southeast side of La Jolla Boulevard at Forward Street.

As a possible bonus, Dunbar said the area is subject to flooding during storms, and ideally the project would repair the street and minimize future flooding. “We are going to have our Maintenance Assessment District manager keep an eye on that and talk to the City so we don’t have worse problems after they complete the project. As soon as we have the details (as to when work would start locally), we will make them available.”

Orange netting removed: The bright, orange net that surrounded plants on the Midway Bluff Overlook has come down, and a more neutral netting has gone up in its place. But the BRCC hopes for even less obtrusive caging.

“We could ask the City for a rope that would be less visually impactful and still protect the plants there and encourage people to use the pedestrian paths. If you feel one way or the other, let us know and we’ll ask the City to move forward accordingly.”

Ashley Mackin

The new beige ‘fence’ netting around the Midway Bluffs Overlook vegetation replaces the former orange screen protecting vegetation at the site.

The new beige ‘fence’ netting around the Midway Bluffs Overlook vegetation replaces the former orange screen protecting vegetation at the site. (Ashley Mackin)

Art bench on the way: BRCC is soliciting donations for the installation of a bench near 5510 La Jolla Blvd., which would be created by local artist Jane Wheeler. “The art bench is going to be similar to the other decorative benches in Bird Rock,” Dunbar said. The board is also looking to install a bike rack on the 5600 block of La Jolla Blvd.

Toppling tree removed: A tree that has been in the process of toppling over for several years has been taken down and a new one — a likely a Gold Medallion — will go in its place, or at a nearby location. The tree has reportedly been hit by drivers multiple times, and has tipped 12 inches in the last year. Dunbar said at that time, the only thing holding it up was another tree. The new tree will go up shortly.

Elementary school readies for registration: Bird Rock Elementary School teacher Lorene LaCava announced that the school office, at 5371 La Jolla Hermosa Ave. will open for business, Monday, Aug. 21 and that the first day of school is Monday, Aug. 28.

“We’d love to have everyone who hasn’t registered yet come down and register their child for the 2017-2018 school year so we can make sure we have enough teachers and desks for everyone,” she said.

Community picnic: In place of the August BRCC meeting, the annual summer picnic will be held 5:30 p.m. Tuesday, Aug. 1 at Bird Rock Elementary School Joint-Use Park, 5371 La Jolla Hermosa Ave. The cost to attend is $10 (cash only) for a burger and sides.

—The next BRCC meeting will be 6 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 5 at a location to be announced. birdrockcc.org